Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault: College Women's Risk Perception and Behavioral Choices

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The authors investigated relationships among prior victimization, risk perceptions, and behavioral choices in responding to drug-facilitated sexual assault in a college party where alcohol is available. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: From fall 2003 to spring 2004, over 400 female undergraduates rated risk perception following an acquaintance rape vignette. RESULTS: In general, participants tended to perceive the risk of having someone else pour their beer; however, they did not tend to perceive the risk of leaving one's beer unattended. Results also indicated that college students who felt ill at a party were not likely to suspect the presence of a date-rape drug and when sexual assault occurred, a significant minority of respondents blamed the victim. Victims of prior sexual assault were more likely to report that they would make risky choices, such as accepting a male acquaintance's offer to help them into their bedroom. CONCLUSIONS: Implications for the prevention of sexual assault are discussed.